Crate



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G. M. LEGHORN 'zveni'vr Ymmmm,

Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT loFFIClfl CRATE George M. Leghorn, Winchesten Mass.r l Application october 29, 1932, serial No. 640,200

" 12 Claims. (01.217-12) The present invention relates to packing and shipping crates or packages for fruits, vegetables and similar or equivalent products which must be conveyed in a strong, inexpensive and relatively indestructible package, capable of satisfactorily supporting and maintaining the weight of the product therein.

The purpose and object of the present inventionis to .provide a crate or package of this general character which can be readily and inexpensively produced in knocked-down or sectional form available for convenient storage and shipment, and which may thereafter be simply and easily assembled by unskilled labor in connection with the packing of the product therein.

With this and other objects in View, the various features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will be'obvious to those skilled inthe art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. lrepresents a perspective of the improved crate in completely assembled form, but without the product contained therein; Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, are Views illustrating the continuous sides 'and ends, the top, the intermediate partition, and the bottom, respectively, of the crate; Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating the method of securing the slats for the sides and ends by connecting metal bands ofv angular form; Fig. 7 is a detail illustrating the top band, showing the method of grooving to provide for the corners; Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, illustrate similar details, showing the manner byv which the bands are turned in the grooved areas to provide for the corners; Fig. 11 is a detail illustrating the bottom band in the region of the corner, and showing the supporting flange for the bottom of the crate; Figs. 12 to 14, inclusive,

illustrate the method of securing the ends of the bands for the continuous sides and ends, and the locking strap passed therethrough; Fig. 15'is a top plan View of the crate looking downwardly thereinto, showing the enclosed sides and ends, the bottom assembled therein, and the intermediate partition; Fig. 16 is a cross-section of the crate showing the manner of locking the intermediate partition therein, and the locking band passed therearound; Fig. 17 is a detail illustrating a perspective of the same means for locking the top cover in place after the crate has been filled; and Fig. 18 is a detail illustrating a modiiied form of continuous band having a channelcross-section with the corner provided therein. t The crate shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention kcomprises essentially a length of slatting which is first' produced continuously as in the machine kdisclosed in the copending application of John A. Wagner, SerialNo. 539,619, this slatting being cut toa-suitable length for assembly in a crate of the desired. size, and previously crimpedv or grooved at proper intervals to provide for thev bending of the Slat length at corner regions. This grooving or forming of the reinforcing and connecting metal bands is accomplished either in `conjunction with the production of the-'slatting oras a separate operation prior to assembly in the box, as maybe desired.

It either event, the g'rooving is made at predetermined measured intervals to compel the formation of corners when the length of slatting is bent in a manner to produce a square or rectangular box.

As indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the slatting'is cut toilength, as indicated generally at igand' comprises afseries ofthin wooden slats I2.held in connected and spaced relationship by parallel metal bands I4 and I6 at opposite ends of the slats. One of these bands is disposed at the top of the crate, and the other at the bottom of the cratewhen the latter is assembled, the two bands being preferably dissimilar for a purpose to be described.

In actual operation, the length of slatting of proper rdimensions and with the bands Vgrooved or lpreformed as indicated at the-regions I 8, is bent in the general conguration shown in Fig. 1 to provide a complete enclosure forming the sides and ends of the crate,A with the slats extending vertically when the crate is supported in a normalV horizontal position. When so bent, the overlapping ends of the reinforcing bands, as shown more particularly' in' Figs. 12 to 14, engage with one' another, 'and the offset tongues 20 `and 2l at the' opposite ends of the bands register in the manner shown in Fig. 14, to provide a locking opening through which a metal strap 22 'is passed for a purpose to be presently described. These locking tongues are similar and'identical upon the upper and lower bands, and are normally positioned in alignment' at approximately the middle of the crate to provide for the insertion therethrough of the locking band 22, which passes completely about the crate in the central or mid position.

lAfter bending of the slatting i0 into generally rectangular form, a slatted bottom 25 is assembled with the enclosure, this bottom being conveniently formed as a length of slatting produced in a similar manner to the sides and end slatting and cut to prop er length for insertion. As illustrated particularly in Figs. 5 and 15, the bottom consists of slats 26, maintained in spaced relation by connecting and reinforcing bands 28, the slats 26 approximating the length of the crate interiorly. When assembled, the slatted bottom is supported upon and rests on an inturned flange 30, which is formed upon the lower reinforcing band I6, as shown more particularly in Fig. 11. This inturned ilangel) projects completely around the enclosure, and provides a supporting ledge for the bottom about its entire periphery.

Cooperating withv the supporting and surrounding sides and ends is an intermediate partition 32, which may and preferably is solid, 'this par tition being inserted centrally within the en-` closure, and of such a size that opposite edges engage between the slats I2 and lit closely in the spaces therebetween, the bottom of the intermediate partition engaging with the slatted bottom' of the crate and holding the latter in place upon the inturned ange. The intermediate partition may and preferably is locked in this assembled relation, as shown in Fig. l5, by the surrounding strap 22 which extends completely aboutv the mid section of the crate in the plane of the intermediate partition, and across the top of the latter, theends of the locking and reinforcing strap being connected and rigidly maintained in relation by any suitable means such as a soft metal ring or clamp shown at 40. The manner in which the slatted bottom rests upon the inturned flange of the side and `end wall and is held thereon by the intermediate partition 32, and the latter locked in assembled relation by the locking strap, is all `clearly shown in Fig. 16. The upper reinforcing band I4 for the side and end walls is made as illustrated particularly in Figs. '7 to 10, and is provided with a flange extending over the top of the slats, but inturned at to avoid any considerable extension therebeyond,` This flange, together with the bottom flange, may be and conveniently is grooved in the plane of the slats at 52, and provided with triangularly disposed grooves 54 transversely of the plane of the slats to insure not only that the straps may buckle, but that they shall buckle along definite and predetermined lines to form proper and accurate corners for the assembled crate. 1

The top of the crate is conveniently made from a length of slatting similar to the bottom slatting shown in Fig. 5, this length of slatting being shown in Fig. 3 as provided with separated and spaced slats connected by parallel metallic `.bands 62. In the top or cover slatting the bands are extended beyond the slat length at each side to provide extensions for detachablyr connecting the top to the assembled crate. To this end the crate is provided conveniently with corner attachments 64 of .pressed metal, having offset legs 66 which project upwardly and engage beneath the upper band I4 in a manner to cause this band to resistv the upward pull or thrust due to the cover. In this position, as shown particularly in Fig. 1'7, the locking attachments have a bail 10, about which-may be passed the free end'l2 of ar strap 62, this end being turned backwardly and clamped by a soft metal thimble "I4, as shown in Fig. 17. This construction provides a sufliciently rigid method of at tachment for the cover, which permits and-facilitates removal of the cover Without dismantling the crate and which ties the cover at the vend portions only. permitting bulging of the cover centrally thereof and beyond the intermediate partition to accommodate over-packing of fruit or vegetables therein. Except for the bulging of the cover, it will be evident that due to the complementary effect of the interlocking of the side and end walls, the bottom wall, and the intermediate partition, there can be no distortion or bulging of these portions, of the crate, regardless of the pressure placed thereon, except for a pressure sufcient to actually rupture or break the slats themselves.

The form of construction shown in Fig. 18 may be preferable to that disclosed in the earlier iigures due to the increased strength of the channel shaped band which may be desirably employed forconnecting the slats particularly along the upper edge of the crate. As will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 18, this type of band, instead of being provided with a portion lying iiat against the slats and an inturned flange to provide an angle, forms a complete channel ser tion with outer and inner parallel portions 8!) and 82, which engage flatwise with the outer and inner faces of the slat, connected by a top, portion which extends across the ends of the slats as indicated clearly in the drawings, the depth of the channel approximating the thickness rof the slats. At the corners, as indicated clearly in this same figure, the innerface of the channel may be slightly precrimped in such .l

a fashion that upon bending the channel in this region, the inner facefolds inwardly and forms a suiiiciently sharp and predetermined corner' which rigidly maintains the desired shape. Obviously this form of band may be employed for connecting opposite ends of the slats providing that no ledge is needed at the bottom, or in the, event that such a ledge is used, the angle band may be employed at the bottom in conjunction with the channel band at the top.

It will be evident that this type of crate, due

to the absence of end cleats and similar rein.

Ithas been determined that the saving in the f Weight of the crate itself, coupled with the saving in space for the same Weight of fruit or vegetables, as compared with the weight or space required for other and existing forms of crates, represents a substantial saving in the cost of shipment entirely aside from the economies resulting from the construction of the crate both from'the point of view of assembly and production in knocked-down form.

In this connection, it will be observed that the crate, due to the method of producing the slatting, is adequately reinforced, is free from the hazard of weakening the slatting due to the driving of nails or brads therein during assem" bly,.s rigid and pre-shaped at the corners duc to the employment of angle straps which con stitute an effective and adequate reinforcement so that the shape of the crate does not result merely from the assemblage of the side and end walls with the top and bottom members. the side and end walls when bent into rectangular form due to the nature of the reinforcement providing a self-sustaining wall of predetermined shape.

In addition. the assemblage and locking of the bottom' andiintermediate partition therein yade-` quately stiffensfand assures thepredetermned rectangular' shape, and avoids the necessity for any additional reinforcement or strengthening through the use of a secured top attached .in such afmanner thatthe crate must be seriously damaged'cr destroyed in the removalof the topl By virtue ofthis; thetop maybe1simply secured in place in such a manner asto` afford` andpermit' they greatest-freedom of distention and variation in interior packing.

What is claimed is:

1. A crate comprising side and end Walls formed from a length of slatting which consists of parallel slats held in assembled relationship by one or more metal bands resting flatly upon the faces of the slats and locked thereto, and having flanged portions which stiffen and strengthen the bands When bent into predetermined form to prevent distortion of the walls of the crate, and having preformed portions which cause bending of the bands to produce corners in predetermined regions at the juncture of the walls in a manner to provide a complete stiffened and reinforced Wall when the length of slatting is bent into a four-walled closure.

2. A crate comprising side and end Walls formed from a length of slatting which consists of parallel slats held in assembled relationship by a metal band engaging the face of the slats adjacent opposite ends, each band having a portion fianged over the ends of the slats to reinforce the bands, and each band having preformed regions therein to insure forming corner bends in predetermined areas in order that the length of slatting when bent to produce a fourwalled closure shall be stiff and free from distortion.

3. A crate comprising a length of fibrous slatting bound and reinforced by parallel metal bands of angular shape, one of which is provided with an inturned flange projecting from an edge of the slatting, preformed transverse bending areas in the bands, the length of slatting being bent about said areas into a four-Walled closure, a slatted bottom in the closure resting upon a ledge formed by said inturned flange, an intermediate partition engaging with the bottom and held in position between certain of the Wall slats, a metal band passing completely about the crate in the region of the intermediate partition to rigidly lock the intermediate partition and bottom to the slatted wall and closure, and a top removably connected at opposite ends to the wall enclosure and free to distort or bulge in the region of the intermediate partition.

4. A crate 'comprising a tour-wall slatted enclosure reinforced and maintaining a predetermined shape by metal bands running lengthwise about the crate, a bottom Within the enclosure, detachable holding members engaged beneath one of the wall bands adjacent the ends of the crate, a removable top, and bandsfor the top detachably connected with the holding members to lock the top in place at opposite ends.

5. A crate comprising a four-walled closure of fibrous slatted construction and of generally rectangular outline with the slats extending ver tically when the closure is upright, upper and lower metal bands locked to each of the slats and extending lengthwise about the closure, the bands being cormected at the extreme ends of the slats and being so constructed that they predetermine and fix the shape and dimensions of the closure, a bottom removably dropped into thelclosureand held by a' portion of one of the bands, `anlintermediate partition for locking the bottom in lplace','and a top detachably held at opposite 'ends tothe walled 'closure and free to bulgeV inthe central region.v

` 6. A Walled closure for. ra crate comprising a lengthof parallel fibrous slats in spaced relation lockedadjacent opposite ends, and parallel metal bands engaging flatwise with the faces of the slats and ,having .fiangedportionsv turned over the ends of the slats to reinforce the bands and prevent distortion, the bands being preformed in regions between the slats and at locations to assist in forming corners at definite points to provide a four-Walled closure of accurate and predetermined rectangular outline, the free ends of the bands being detachably interlccked to lock the closure in predetermined closed form.

7. A walled closure for a crate comprising a length of parallel fibrous slats in spaced relation locked adjacent opposite ends, and parallel metal bands engaging fiatwise with the faces of the slats and having flanged portions turned over the ends of the slats to reinforce the bands and prevent distortion, the bands being preformed in regions between the slats and at locations to assist in forming corners at definite points to provide a four-Walled closure of accurate and predetermined rectangular outline, the free ends of the bands being provided with registering eyes to receive a locking strap when the closure is assembled into closed form.

8. A crate comprising metal straps bent into rectangular form and bounding the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the crate, one of the straps having an inwardly projecting angle portion to form a supporting ledge, parallel, nonmetallic slats connecting the angles and forming the side and end wall closures, the parallel slats being individually locked at opposite extreme ends to the angles and reinforced thereby, a removable bottom resting upon the ledge formed by the bottom angle Within the inner surfaces of the parallel slats, and a top connected to the top angle and removable without deformng the crate.

9. A length of slatting designed for the formation of a walled closure for crates of predetermined outline consisting of a series of parallel slats connected at opposite ends to metal angles engaging flatwise with the faces of the slats and locked thereto by locking tongues turned inwardly in a direction to penetrate the slats, the angles having flanged portions turned over the ends of the slats to engage and position the slats and reinforce the angles against bending strain, and preformed areas located at definite intervals in the angles to provide forv bending successive lengths of angles generally at right angles in a manner to form a multi-walled closure.

l0. A crate comprising a length of fibrous slatting bound and reinforced by parallel metal bands of angular shape, one of which is provided with an inturned flange projecting from an edge of the slatting, preformed transverse bending areas in the bands, the length of slatting being bent along said areas into a four-walled closure, a slatted bottom in the closure resting upon a ledge formed by said inturned flange, an intermediate partition held in position by engaging the bottom and the wall slats, and a slatted top removably secured to the other edge of the slatting.

l1. A crate comprising a length of fibrous slatting bound and reinforced by parallel metal bands of angular shape, one of which is provided with an inturned flange projecting from an edge of the slatting, preformed transverse bending areas in the bands, the length ofrslatting being bent along said areas into a four-Walled closure, a slatted bottom in the closure resting upon a ledge formed by the inturned flange, an intermediate partition held in position by engaging the bottom and the wall slats, and a metal band passing completely about the crate in the region of the intermediate partition to rigidly lock the intermediate partition and 10 bottom to the slatted wall and closure.

12. A walled closure for a crate comprising a length of parallel fibrous slats in spaced relation and parallel metal bands of angle section surrounding the sides and ends of the slats and having transverse grooves formed between the ends of certain slats to insure that the section of the straps adjacent the edge of the slats shall buckle in a denite and uniform manner when bent into crate form.y

` GEORGE M. LEGHORN. 

